On a calm, starry night, Ji-Soo, Min-Ju, and Fah set out for a peaceful stroll under the shimmering sky.
Ji-Soo's hands were gently clasped together, as if holding onto a fragile dream, while the others moved slowly, their footsteps muffled by the soft grass and fallen leaves.
The cool night air brushed against their skin, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers and distant pine.
They soon arrived at a park—an old, beloved sanctuary.
Towering trees stretched their branches like giant green guardians, their leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze.
The winding paths glowed faintly from the scattered fairy lights, casting a warm, golden hue over the empty benches and play areas.
The moon hung high, casting silvery shadows that danced softly on the ground, while fireflies flickered like tiny stars come to life.
Min-Ju turned to Ji-Soo with a nostalgic smile.
"This park… you loved it so much. Don't you remember? We used to come here every single day… to play with the kids around the swings and slides," he said softly, eyes twinkling with fond memories.
Fah grinned mischievously.
"Yeah! And you'd always be the bossy one, scolding the kids like a strict teacher—no wonder you got banned from the park. Never thought that was even possible!" Fah chuckled, nudging Ji-Soo playfully.
Ji-Soo sighed, a little embarrassed but smiling at the sweet memories she was supposed to remember, as they continued their walk away from the park, the night wrapping around them like a cozy blanket.
Soon, they reached Ji-Soo's house.
She paused, taking a deep breath, then turned to Min-Ju and Fah with a shy but warm smile.
"Hey, Min-Ju and Sky… thank you so much for walking out with me," she said, clutching her brown skirt tighter, her cheeks tinged with a soft pink.
"I really…" she started, hesitating.
"Enough," Min-Ju interrupted, his eyes crinkling with amusement.
"Stop thanking me all the time. Now go inside and get some rest. See you tomorrow," he added with a playful wink.
''Yes Ji-Soo-ya go, go and rest....'' Fah chimed in smiling sweetly.
Ji-Soo nodded, then stepped inside her house.
Min-Ju watched her go while Fah began walking away.
Min-Ju stood there making sure she was safe before turning away, a small, content smile lingering on his face as he strolled off into the quiet night, the stars shining brightly above.
---
The atmosphere in the sleek conference room was charged with a sense of purpose.
Mrs. Kim sat gracefully at the head of the polished table, her black suit sharp and commanding.
Beside her, Mr. Choi looked equally composed, his dark suit fitting perfectly, his expression serious but calm.
Around the table, the five other members—Mr. Lee, the meticulous accountant; Ms. Park, the sharp-eyed marketing strategist; Mr. Kang, the reserved legal advisor; Ms. Yoon, the logistics expert; and Mr. Han, the calm tech analyst—leaned forward, ready to contribute.
The discussion kicked off with a focus on business growth. Ms. Park laid out her ideas, her voice clear and confident.
"To improve our sales, we need to target new markets and enhance our online presence. We should invest more in digital marketing campaigns, especially social media ads that resonate with younger audiences."
Mr. Lee nodded, adding, "We can also analyze our current sales data to identify the most profitable regions and products. A strategic reallocation of resources could boost revenue significantly."
Mr. Kang chimed in, "Legal considerations are crucial when expanding into new territories. We must ensure compliance and protect our brand from potential legal issues."
Ms. Yoon interjected, "Logistically, we need to streamline our supply chain to meet increased demand. Faster delivery times will also improve customer satisfaction."
Mr. Han, with a calm voice, summarized, "Technology can support these efforts—like implementing new CRM systems or AI tools to better understand customer behavior and improve targeting."
The team nodded in agreement, the room buzzing with ideas. Just as they were delving into the specifics of marketing and logistics, a voice interrupted, tense and hesitant.
"The girl who died in that accident… We still haven't found the car owner. Do we have any leads?"
A heavy silence fell. Mrs. Kim's expression shifted instantly, her eyes narrowing sharply. Her elegant composure snapped like a thin thread.
With a commanding tone, she slammed her hand on the table, demanding, "Focus on work! Stop wasting time on something that doesn't concern us!"
The others nodded quickly, understanding her anger, but the room's mood was already shifting.
Ms. Yoon hesitated before speaking again, cautious. "Mrs. Kim, with all due respect, the police are still investigating. The girl's photo has been published—she looks just like Ji-Woo your duaghter."
All heads turned toward Mrs. Kim. Her face blanched in shock, her eyes widening as the weight of her realization sank in.
Seeing the rising tension, Mr. Choi quickly tried to steer the conversation back to calmer waters.
"Let's focus on the business at hand," he said softly. "There's no need to jump to conclusions. We should leave the investigation to the authorities."
But Mrs. Kim, already visibly furious, abruptly stood up. Her elegant figure seemed to tower over the table.
Her eyes burned with a storm of emotions—anger, grief, helplessness.
Without a word, she turned sharply and strode away, her heels clicking softly on the floor, leaving the remaining members stunned and silent in her wake.
Mr. Choi hurried after Mrs. Kim, calling out softly,
"Mrs. Kim, come on, Ma'am. You shouldn't walk out of the meeting like this. Please, Ma'am."
Mrs. Kim paused for a moment, her back still turned, her expression a mixture of anger and sadness.
She slowly turned around, her eyes blazing but her voice surprisingly calm.
"Come on, Ma'am," Mr. Choi repeated gently. "Please, sit down. We need to discuss this professionally."
But Mrs. Kim only looked at him coldly, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her heels echoing softly as she disappeared down the corridor.
Mr. Choi sighed heavily, frustration evident on his face. He returned to the meeting room, his shoulders tense, and took his seat once more.
The others looked at him with sympathetic, yet critical expressions.
The room fell into a heavy silence before Ms. Park broke it.
"Honestly, Mrs. Kim's arrogance is unbelievable," she muttered, crossing her arms. "She just storms out like she owns the place. It's no wonder she's so upset about her daughter—Ji-Woo. That girl's case is obviously hitting her hard."
Mr. Lee nodded grimly. "Yeah, I agree. It's like she's hiding her own pain behind that icy exterior. But her reaction to the girl's photo… it's more than just grief. It's like she's furious about something else entirely."
Mr. Kang leaned forward, his voice measured. "There's a lot we don't know. But her anger over Ji-Woo's case… it's understandable, in a way. That girl was involved in the accident too, right? And Ji-Soo looks just like Ji-Woo. Maybe that's what's really upsetting her—seeing someone who resembles her daughter, and recalling that tragic event."
Ms. Yoon frowned, adding, "And her reaction to the girl's photo—she looked just like Ji-Woo. I think that's what really set her off. Perhaps she's in denial or afraid of facing the truth about what really happened."
Mr. Han sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"It's clear she's carrying a lot of pain. But her arrogance and refusal to discuss it openly only make things worse. That girl's case is important—more than just a tragedy. It might hold the key to understanding what's really going on."
They all nodded in agreement, a mix of frustration and concern in their eyes.
The case of Ji-Woo and Ji-Soo was more than just a story now—it was deeply personal, and it was affecting everyone in the room, especially Mrs. Kim.